This story, about a family of limnologists keeping records of a Siberian lake over a period of 60 years, has nothing to do with words, other than that it allows me to drop limnologist. But it’s a great story, if you enjoy science writing.

I’m sorry the posts have been so sporadic lately. I have two excuses. First, it turns out that if you constantly pester some companies, they hire you: last month I started working as developer at the New York Times. I’ve been obsessed with the Times since I learned to read, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Marc Andreessen notwithstanding I think the Times is going to weather the transition to digital and thrive, and I’m psyched to be a small part of that. It’s been a great gig so far, the sole downside being that it cuts into my Wordie time.

But I’m burying the lede: my wife and I had a beautiful and healthy baby daughter last Tuesday, so my attentions have been elsewhere. I’ll get back to blogging when things settle down. They do settle down, right?